Title: The Hutt Gambit (THT)
Author: Ann C. Crispin
Pages: 340
Type: Adventure
Time: 5 BBY

Introduction
Unlike with the first novel in the trilogy I had a much better idea of what to expect. I really liked "The Paradise Snare" and was looking forward to reading more about Han. The big question was: Can this novel live up to the quality of the first? We'll find out next.

Novel quality
This novel picks up a couple of years after the first one. By the end of the first one we see Han finally enter the Imperial Academy. He has great expectations and finally feels like he's doing something of meaning with his live. At the start of this novel we learn that Han has been kicked out of the navy because he couldn't stand by and watch a superior officer kill a helpless Wookie. This Wookie, the great Chewbacca, swears a life-debt to Han because of his actions and will accompany Han from the beginning of the novel. This is the first great move in the novel. We all love Han and Chewie and to finally read how the two of them really got to know each other is just fantastic. Especially in the beginning when Han thinks he doesn't want to have a Wookie hanging around him all the time. Chewie is not the only character from the movies that we are "introduced" to. We also get to know Lando Calrissian, Han's future "buddy". Like with Chewie, it is just very interesting to see how Lando meets Han and how their interaction is. Add to that that we see the first information about the bounty hunter Boba Fett and the novel provides a great nostalgic feeling and connects to the movies really well.

The story revolves around the planets Nal Hutta, Nar Hekka and Nar Shaddaa. The first part handles a great Hutt power struggle where Han finds himself more or less in the middle of. This actually helps Han as Jabba considers Han to be of such great value to him that he is willing to buy of the bounty hunter hired to catch him. The second part handles the new resolve of the Empire to once and for all end all the criminal activity originating from Hutt space. A great expedition is planned to wipe out everything and everyone in the system and to make show that the Empire is not in the mood for accepting any challenges to its supreme power. While the Hutts use there own schemes to ensure their survival, the inhabitants of Nar Shaddaa will have to take care of themselves. This once again puts Han in the thick of things and forces him to fight for his home. The preparation for the battle and the resolve shown by all the inhabitants of Nar Shaddaa is really well created by Ms. Crispin and pulls you into the story in a great way. In addition the corrupt and oppressive ways of the Empire come forward quite well also. All this gives the story a distinct OT-feel and sets this trilogy up as a great tie-in to the movies. And of course the short (very short!) appearance of Darth Vader is the icing on the cake. No bad points than? Well, the return of Bria to the story is not really necessary and feels a bit forced. Her experiences do add some interesting perspectives to the story, but they might as well have been provided by another character. It would have been nice to leave Bria as we left her in the first novel. This isn't a major issue though. Overall this novel is very interesting to read and provides some interesting insights into some of the main characters in the OT. Perhaps not a necessary read for the moderate EU-fan, but not one you want to miss. It's just too much fun.
Rating: 85/100

Personal Tilt
After being pleasantly surprised by "The Paradise Snare" I almost expected to be disappointed by this novel. Gladly, this novel does everything the previous one does and even a bit more. The inclusion of some well-known characters and the bigger role for the Empire makes this novel just a tad bit better than "The Paradise Snare". There is just one major problem with the novel, it raises the bar for the third part of the trilogy even higher and that could lead to disappointment. I feel confident however that Ms. Crispin lived up to the challenge and created a great trilogy ender. We'll find out soon whether my confidence is justified. For now let's just be happy about this novel. It's great fun to read and it adds a lot to some of the main characters of the OT. I believe any EU-fan will have a good time with this novel. It's solid.
Rating: 82/100


Overall rating: 83.8/100

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For an overview of al reviews and a ranking see my Book review summary